Enhanced companion digital organizer for a cellular phone device

ABSTRACT

An enhanced “Camel-back” or “Companion” Digital Organizer (CDO) is described that is designed to interface to a cellular telephone. The CDO is preferably implemented as an add-on component which can be easily attached and detached from a phone by a user and, once in place, can dramatically enhance the phone&#39;s functionality by converting the phone into a “smart” phone. Exemplary features of the CDO include an ability for the user to initiate a voice call on the phone from the CDO. Preferably, the user may initiate the voice call from any of multiple modules of the user&#39;s data, and not merely from a phone-book module. The CDO is also capable of stand-alone use as a personal organizer device, apart from the phone. The CDO preferably includes a docking unit that removably mates to particular model(s) of phones, and a main unit that removably docks to the docking unit. The docking unit preferably includes substantially all phone-model-specific geometries and features to thereby allow the main unit to be configured for stand-alone use as an organizer with few compromises made to accommodate specific model(s) of phones. Furthermore, the same main unit is suitable for use with multiple docking units that are respectively adapted for different models of phones. Note that some phones have an “automatic hang-up” feature in which the phone unilaterally hangs up a phone call that was initiated by an external device (e.g., a modem or the CDO) upon detaching of the device by the user. For such phones, the docking unit remains attached to the phone during a call initiated by the user via the CDO, even if the user should detach the main unit for stand-alone use as an organizer. The still-attached docking unit contains sufficient circuitry and physical features to prevent automatic hang-up. The main unit includes many features such as a choice of both left- and right-handed modes and the capability for handling electronic mail, remote browsing, remote synchronization, caller identification, and the like.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is related to, and claims the benefit ofpriority from, the following commonly-owned U.S. provisional patentapplications, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety, including any appendices or attachmentsthereof, for all purposes: serial No. 60/097,239, filed Aug. 20, 1998and entitled ENHANCED CAMEL-BACK DIGITAL ORGANIZER FOR A CELLULAR PHONEDEVICE; serial No. 60/107,269, filed Nov. 4, 1998 and entitled COMPANIONDIGITAL ORGANIZER FOR A CELLULAR PHONE DEVICE; and serial No.60/107,151, filed Nov. 4, 1998 and entitled MULTI-COMPONENT INTERFACECARD DIGITAL ORGANIZER;

[0002] The present application is a continuation-in-part application ofand claims the benefit of priority from, the following commonly-ownedU.S. patent applications, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety, including any appendices orattachments thereof, for all purposes: U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/071,748, filed May 1, 1998 and entitled CAMEL-BACK DIGITAL ORGANIZERFOR A CELLULAR PHONE DEVICE; U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/071,732, filed May 1, 1998 and entitled CAMEL-BACK DIGITAL ORGANIZERAND COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR A CELLULAR PHONE DEVICE; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/098,634, filed Jun. 16,1998 and entitledMULTI-COMPONENT INTERFACE CARD ELECTRONIC ORGANIZER.

[0003] The present application is also related to the followingcommonly-owned U.S. patent applications, the disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, including anyappendices or attachments thereof, for all purposes: U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/187,007, filed Nov. 4, 1998 and entitled USERINTERFACE METHODOLOGY SUPPORTING LIGHT DATA ENTRY FOR MICROPROCESSORDEVICE HAVING LIMITED USER INPUT; U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/905,463, filed Aug. 4, 1997 and entitled USER INTERFACE METHODOLOGYFOR MICROPROCESSOR DEVICE HAVING LIMITED USER INPUT; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/347,447, filed Jul. 3, 1999 and entitled SYSTEMAND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING DATASETS USING COOPERATION AMONG MULTIPLESYNCHRONIZATION ENGINES; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/311,781,filed May 13, 1999 and entitled SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZINGDATA SETS IN A NON-FIFO OR OTHERWISE DIFFICULT COMMUNICATIONENVIRONMENT; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/208,815, filed Dec. 8,1998 and entitled SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ROBUST SYNCHRONIZATION OFDATASETS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/136,215, filed Aug. 18,1998 and entitled SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING TWO OR MOREDATASETS; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/923,612, filed Sep. 4,1997 and entitled SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING INFORMATION AMONGDISPARATE DATASETS.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

[0004] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document containsmaterial which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright ownerhas no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdocument or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent andTrademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates generally to electronic organizersand, more particularly, to apparatus and methods providing integrationof electronic organizers with cellular phone devices.

[0006] With each passing day, there is ever increasing interest inproviding integrated solutions for connected information appliances.Here, the general environment includes “appliances” in the form ofelectronic devices such as cellular phones, pagers, and battery-powered,hand-held devices (e.g., REX™, Palm Pilot™ and Windows™ CE devices).Such a device, in typical use, is occasionally connected to a desktoppersonal computer or PC, which stores information for a user. Stillfurther, the PC may be connected to a server computer, which storesinformation important to the user's business. What the user wants is anintegrated solution such that information of each device remainsavailable for use in other devices in a convenient, transparent manner.

[0007] The user's wish for integration of personal information amongdevices is particularly noteworthy in connection with cellular phones,given their tremendous popularity. Although cellular phones arecommonplace, a cellular phone user today finds that his or her device isnot well integrated with other electronic devices. Consider, forinstance, a user who maintains address-book or “contacts” information ona hand-held device. Despite having maintained extensive informationabout his or her contacts electronically, the user is forced to manuallyre-enter information into the cellular phone when placing a phone call.What the user wants instead is the ability to make calls and look upaddresses and phone numbers, and even check schedules and sendelectronic mail, from a single integrated solution. Yet to date,designers have struggled over how to integrate disparateinformation—such as calendaring, scheduling, and contactinformation—among disparate devices.

[0008] What is needed is a solution which combines telephony withpersonal information management in a single integrated hand-held unit.Given the millions of cellular phones in service today, such a solutionshould comprise a user-serviceable attachment allowing a legacy phone tobe upgraded to a “smart” phone without requiring a change to theunderlying phone equipment (i.e., in a manner which maintainscompatibility with legacy hardware) and without requiring a complicatedinstallation procedure.

[0009] More particularly, what is needed is such an integrated solutionthat can enable a user to conveniently access information in theuser-serviceable attachment even during an existing phone call and evenon a phone (e.g., a legacy phone) that has “automatic hang-up” logicwhich causes the phone to unilaterally terminate an ongoing call if thelogic believes that the phone is no longer being used. What is alsoneeded is an integrated solution that is little encumbered during use ortransport by model-specific restrictions imposed by particular phonemodel(s) and that can easily be used with multiple models of phones. Inshort, a solution is needed that can accommodate and work with as manymodels of phones as possible. Similarly, a solution is needed that canaccommodate as many users as possible. For example, what is needed is asolution that is equally convenient for left-handed as well asright-handed users to use. The present invention fulfills these andother needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides a Companion Digital Organizer(CDO) or system, that is designed to interface with a cellular phone tothereby provide integrated organizer/telephone functionality. The CDO ispreferably configured to interface with the phone through an existinginterface port (e.g., StarTac™ cellular port) in the phone. The CDO ispreferably implemented as an add-on component which can be easilyattached and detached from a phone by a customer and, once in place, candramatically enhance the phone functionality, converting the phone intoa “smart” phone. In the preferred embodiment, the CDO is configured toattach to a cellular phone in the same manner as an auxiliary battery.

[0011] In an embodiment, the present invention includes a portableelectronic organizer for independent operation and for operation with aportable telephone. The organizer includes a portable docking unit, aportable main unit, and logic. The portable docking unit is preferablyconfigured to removably mate to the telephone. The portable main unit ispreferably configured to removably dock to the docking unit. When themain unit is docked to the docking unit and the docking unit is mated tothe telephone, the main unit is coupled to the telephone. The main unitincludes a memory configured to store user data and a processor coupledto the memory. The logic is configured for the electronic organizer toinitiate a voice telephone call over the telephone in response to userinput related to the user data.

[0012] In an embodiment, the present invention includes a portableelectronic organizer for independent operation and for operation with aportable telephone. The organizer includes a memory for storing userdata, a display coupled to the memory, a communication couplerconfigured to interface with the portable telephone, and a processor,coupled to the memory and the display, configured to control, inresponse to user input, selective conveying of the user data to the userand instructing of the telephone via the communication coupler toinitiate a phone call. The electronic organizer is capable of handhelduse by a user for selectively accessing the user data while physicallyseparate from the telephone, even during the phone call initiated by thetelephone in response to the instructing by the processor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1A illustrates a CDO in its environment according to anembodiment of the present invention in profile view.

[0014]FIG. 1B illustrates the CDO of FIG. 1A in perspective view.

[0015]FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a main unit of a CDO in a right-handedmode and a left-handed mode, respectively, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0016]FIG. 3A illustrates a CDO's docking unit that attaches to a phonein the manner of a battery-compartment cover, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 3B illustrates a CDO's main unit being attached to thedocking unit of FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The following description will largely focus on a digitalorganizer which has as its target or host phone the popular MotorolaStarTAC® cellular phone. For this target phone, the design of a dockingunit of the digital organizer largely matches the physical geometry ofthe StarTAC® cellular phone's auxiliary battery. The design,construction, and operation taught by the present invention are notlimited, however, to StarTAC® cellular phones but can be appliedadvantageously to other phones, including ones of markedly differentdesign and style. The following description of exemplary embodiments is,therefore, for the purpose of illustration and not limitation.

[0019] A. Introduction

[0020] Companion Digital Organizers (“CDOs”), which may also be calledCamel-back Digital Organizers (“CDOs”), were disclosed in theabove-incorporated, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.09/071,732 (filed May 1, 1998), 09/071,748 (filed May 1, 1998), and09/098,634 (filed Jun. 16, 1998). As described in those documents, anembodiment of the CDO is a personal organizer device capable ofstand-alone use that may be removably mated to a cellular phone tothereby make the phone a smart phone. For example, the CDO may store andselectively display, for example, an address-and-phone book, a schedule,a “to-do” list, a calendar, and more during stand-alone operation. Whenmated to a phone, the CDO may, for example, permit the user to navigatethrough his address-and-phone book to a particular contact and easilyinitiate a phone call from the CDO on the phone. Thereafter, the usermay hold an ordinary voice phone conversation over the initiated phonecall on the phone.

[0021] One aspect of the CDO is that, not only is it suitable for usewith next-generation phones designed with the CDO in mind, the CDO mayalso mate with existing “legacy” phones to add new life to the legacyphones. To this end, the CDO may interface with a legacy phone via thephone's existing communication port, according to the phone's existingcommunication port protocol. Such an existing communication port wastypically originally intended primarily for connection with a localcomputer modem coupled to a computer. In such originally-intended use,the local computer modem can instruct the phone to make (or receive) aphone call so that the local modem can exchange data via the phone(e.g., via the phone's communication port) to a remote party (e.g., aremote modem). In such a scenario, once the local modem is disconnectedfrom the phone or turned off, the user most likely has no further usefor any ongoing phone call that involved the phone's communication port.

[0022] Certain models of legacy cellular phones, for example, certainmodels of Motorola, Inc.'s StarTAC® phones, have built-in logic thatautomatically terminates a phone call involving the communication portwhen the phone detects that whatever device (e.g., local modem) wasconnected to the communication port for the phone call has beenunplugged from the port or is otherwise no longer maintainingcommunication with the phone. Such built-in phone logic may beunderstandable in the context of typical data transfer phone callsinvolving a local modem coupled to a computer, as described earlier.Such built-in logic makes less sense for CDO-initiated voice phonecalls, but is nevertheless generally not a problem for the CDO user, aslong as the CDO device remains connected to the phone during aCDO-initiated phone call. However, if the CDO user wishes to detach theCDO device during a CDO-initiated phone call (for example, to look uphis or her schedule on the CDO) and continue to talk on such a legacyphone, a problem may exist because the phone may terminate the phonecall upon detaching of the CDO. This undesirable behavior of the legacyphone serves to negate an advantage of the basic CDO design, which isthat the CDO is capable of being held and operated in one hand to leavethe other hand free, for example, to hold the phone at ear-side duringan ongoing call that was initiated by the CDO. (Motorola, Inc. is basedin Schaumburg, Ill.)

[0023] Another potential usability issue with retrofitting a CDO ontolegacy phones is that available existing attachment points, such asthose for auxiliary batteries, may require model-specific pins, hooks,protrusions, or other features that may interfere with ergonomic use orcarrying of the CDO. For example, protrusions may snag on items in apurse or pocket, or be otherwise inconvenient. The model-specificfeatures may also hamper the CDO from being easily attached to otherphone model(s).

[0024] A CDO according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention can enable a user to conveniently access the CDO for ordinaryuse as an organizer even during an existing CDO-initiated phone call andeven on a phone (e.g., a legacy phone) having the above-described“automatic hang-up” logic. The preferred CDO is little encumbered duringuse or transport by model-specific restrictions imposed by particularphone model(s) and can easily be used with multiple models of phones. Inshort, the preferred CDO can accommodate and work with as many models oftarget phones as possible. Furthermore, the preferred CDO canaccommodate as many users as possible. For example, the preferred CDO isequally convenient for left-handed as well as right-handed users to use.

[0025] B. Device Hardware and Software

[0026] As will be further described, an enhanced CDO according to anembodiment of the present invention includes a docking unit and adetachable main unit. The docking unit and the main unit togetherinclude the elements of a CDO that are described in the incorporated,commonly-owned patent applications, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 09/071,732 (filed May 1, 1998), 09/071,748 (filed May 1, 1998), and60/107,269 (filed Nov. 4, 1998). In particular, the docking unit and themain unit together include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, adisplay, a user input (e.g., terse keyset), a serial port, software, andcouplers (e.g., physical and electrical) for mating and interfacing theCDO to a host phone.

[0027] The (enhanced) CDO's software includes a device operating systemand organizer application(s), such as are described in the incorporated,commonly-owned patent applications, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 09/187,007 (filed Nov. 4, 1998) and 08/905,463 (filed Aug. 4,1997). Preferably, the organizer application(s) include acalendar/appointments module, an address-book (phone-book) module, atask-list module, a memos module, a world-clock module, and apreferences module. Preferably, these modules include the features andcapabilities as described in the incorporated patent applications andadditional features and capabilities as described in the presentdocument. Some features and capabilities as described in theincorporated patent application are found, for example, in the popularStarTAC® clipOn Organizer and the REX PRO™ organizer. The StarTAC®clipOn Organizer includes licensed technology from Starfish Software,Inc. (“Starfish”), the present assignee, and is available from Motorola,Inc. The REX PRO™ organizer (e.g., model REX PRO 5) includes licensedtechnology from Starfish, the present assignee, and is available fromFranklin Electronic Publishers of Burlington, N.J. StarTAC is aregistered trademark of Motorola, Inc. REX and REX PRO are trademarks ofFranklin Electronic Publishers.

[0028] The docking unit and the main unit may also together include theelements of a multi-component embodiment of the CDO, as described in theincorporated, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.09/098,634 (filed Jun. 16, 1998) and 60/107,151 (filed Nov. 4, 1998). Inparticular, the main unit may itself include two components: an outercomponent, for providing the display and other bulky elements, and adetachable interface component, for interfacing with other devices suchas handheld or notebook personal computers. The interface componentpreferably includes memory (e.g., flash memory) and is preferablyconfigured to interface with the other devices according to a standardinterface (e.g., a CompactFlash™ PC-card interface), the specificationsof which are available from the CompactFlash Association of Palo Alto,Calif. CompactFlash is a trademark of the CompactFlash Association.

[0029] C. The Enhanced CDO Preferably Includes a Docking Unit and a MainUnit

[0030]FIG. 1A illustrates an enhanced CDO in its environment accordingto an embodiment of the present invention in profile view. The enhancedCDO includes a docking unit 10 and a detachable main unit 20, whichtogether include the elements of a CDO as described above. Theenvironment of the enhanced CDO (hereinafter, “CDO”) includes a targetphone 30, a communication connector 33 from another device (not shown),and a serial interface plug 37. The CDO's docking unit 10 includes acommunication connector 40, a pass-through communication port 43, a“hand-holding” module 47, connectors 50 and 53 for accepting the mainunit 20 for docking, and connectors 55 and 57 for removably (andrigidly) mating the docking unit 10 to the target phone 30. The mainunit 20 includes a serial port 60 and user interface and other elements(e.g., display, input keys, buzzer, processor, battery, and the like)not shown in FIG. 1A, which have all been described in the patentapplications incorporated by reference. The target phone may be a legacyphone, for example, a Motorola StarTAC® cellular phone, that wasdesigned without the CDO in mind. The target phone includes acommunication port 70 (dashed lines). The serial interface plug 37 maybe an ordinary serial plug (e.g., a stereo phono-style plug) asdescribed in the patent applications incorporated by reference. Theserial interface plug 37 may alternatively be a specialized serial plugthat includes a serial controller chip 73, for example a “Maxim” serialcontroller chip, such that the specialized serial plug acts as a“cradle” for serial communications, as described, for example, in theincorporated, commonly-owned patent applications, for example, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/098,634 (filed Jun. 16, 1998). (Thespecialized serial plug may have more than only two contacts (e.g., sixcontacts) with the serial port 60.

[0031] Thus, the drawing of the serial interface plug 37 in FIG. 1A ismerely a schematic picture.)

[0032] D. The Docking Unit Mates to the Phone and Accepts the Main Unitfor Docking

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1A, the docking unit 10 is configured to bedetachably mated to the target phone. When the docking unit 10 is matedto the target phone, the docking unit 10's communication connector 40(e.g., an electrical coupler) connects to (e.g., inserts into) thetarget phone's communication port 70. When the main unit 20 is dockedinto the docking unit 10, and the docking unit 10 is mated to the hostphone 30, the user may initiate a phone call from the CDO. The CDO'sdocking unit 10's pass-through communication port 43 (dashed lines) isconnected to the communication connector 40 and is wired to act as an“extension cord,” so that, even when the CDO's docking unit 10 is matedto the target phone, an external device (not shown) can still couple tothe target phone's communication port 70, via the connector 33 and thepass-through communication port 43 of the docking unit 10, withouthaving to remove the docking unit 10 from the target phone 30. Forcircuit and signal protection, the pass-through communication port 43may be switched off (e.g., electrically isolated) from the communicationport 70 and from the CDO's circuitry when the CDO is sending signals tothe port 70, for example, when the CDO is instructing the target phone30 to begin a phone call, or when the CDO has requested exclusive accessto the port 70.

[0034] The mechanism by which the docking unit 10 is mated to any targetphone depends on the design specification of the target phone. Forexample, if the target phone is a StarTAC® cellular phone, then thedocking unit 10 would be configured to mate to the target phone largelyin the manner of the StarTAC® cellular phone's standard auxiliarybattery. In particular, the docking unit 10's connector 57 for mating tothe target StarTAC® phone would include a metal spring connector whichgrips the top (antenna end) of the phone and which extends to allow theuser to line up and attach the docking unit 10's communication connector40 to the standard communication port at the bottom of the phone.Further, the connector 55 for mating to the target phone would includetwo plastic connectors (e.g., pegs) which fit into slots on the phoneand hold the docking unit 10 in place with tension being provided by thespring connector 57.

[0035] Depending on the particular design specification of the targetphone, the communication connector 40 may include, for example, aboutfive electrical conductors. or the like, that make contact withcorresponding conductors in an interface port in the target phone. Thecommunication connector 40 may also be an elastomeric or similarplastic-or-rubber-covered coupler, an infrared or other type of wirelesscoupler (e.g., a radio-frequency transmitter) for wirelesslycommunicating with the target phone (e.g., within a distance of about ameter), or the like, according to the particular design specification ofthe target phone. (Elastomeric couplers are further discussed, forexample, in connection with the Miniature Card interface specificationof Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif., which interfacespecification is further discussed, for example, in the incorporated,commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/098,634 (filed Jun.16, 1998). The mating of a CDO to target phones, including the StarTAC®cellular phone, is further described in the incorporated U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/071,732 (filed May 1, 1998).

[0036] E. The Docking Unit Prevents Automatic Hang-Ups and EnhancesPortability

[0037] 1. Overview

[0038] The hand-holding module 47 is a circuit or other element orfeature that tells the target phone that the communication port 70 isstill being used, so that the target phone 30's control logic does notautomatically terminate a phone call initiated via the communicationport 70 by the CDO, even if the CDO's main unit 20 is detached duringsuch a phone call. Instead, the user would terminate the phone call in ausual manner, as if the phone call were an ordinary phone call initiatedby the user via manual dialing. The hand-holding module 47, if itrequires power for operation, may steal power from the host phone'scommunication port, or may be powered by a power supply (e.g., battery)on the docking unit 10.

[0039] 2. Example Embodiment: Docking Unit Provides AcknowledgmentSignals

[0040] The precise structure or programming of the hand-holding module47 depends on the specification of the target phone. For example, atarget phone may periodically send a request for acknowledgment (e.g.,an “are you there”-type query) to a device (e.g., a modem or a CDO)connected to the phone's communication port 70, according to the phone'scommunication protocol. If this target phone does not receive anyacknowledgment from the device, the target phone would terminate anycall involving the device (e.g., initiated or received due to thedevice). A docking unit 10 that targets such a target phone wouldinclude a hand-holding module 47 that is a circuit (e.g., amicrocontroller such as a PIC chip) configured to (e.g., programmed to)simply respond to such a specified query with a suitable acknowledgment(e.g., an “I am here”-type response), even after the main unit 20 hasbeen detached during a call that involves (e.g., is initiated by) theCDO.

[0041] 3. Example Embodiment: Docking Unit Simulates CommunicationTraffic

[0042] For another example, a target phone may passively monitor thesending of data or other signals (e.g., “I am here”-type signals) by adevice (e.g., a modem or a CDO) connected to the phone's communicationport 70. If this target phone notices no such signals over thecommunication port 70 over a specified time span, the phone wouldterminate an ongoing call that involves the device. A docking unit 10that targets such a target phone would include a hand-holding module 47that is a circuit configured to periodically send such a suitable signalso that the target phone would know that any existing CDO-initiatedphone call should not be automatically hung up, even after the main unit20 has been detached during a call that involves (e.g., is initiated by)the CDO.

[0043] 4. Example Embodiment: Docking Unit Provides Physical or OtherPresence

[0044] For yet another example, a target phone may simply determinewhether a device (e.g., a modem or a CDO) is physically connected to thecommunication port 70, in deciding whether to hang up anexternally-initiated phone call. This physical determination may bebased on a mechanical switch, a measurement of electrical load, e.g., ondata-carrying or on dedicated connector pins in the port 70, or thelike. A docking unit 10 that targets such a target phone would include ahand-holding module 47 that is merely the connector 40 itself, or asuitably connected circuit or structure (e.g., one that includes anelectrical resistor, capacitor, signal generator, or other suitableelement), as is appropriate for the target phone's specification ordesign.

[0045] 5. Further Remarks

[0046] Depending on the particular automatic hang-up logic employed bythe target phone 30, the hand-holding module 47 may even be operationaleven when the main unit 20 has not been detached from the docking unit10. In summary, the CDO is made safe against undesirable automatichang-ups by the target phone 30, even if the main unit 20 is detachedfor use as an organizer during a phone call. In addition, the automatichang-up feature is still available for its intended purpose, when theCDO is not being used. Furthermore, the main unit 20 is made capable ofbeing configured for ease of use and carrying by the user, largelyindependently of the particular attachment geometry dictated by thetarget phone 30.

[0047] F. Main Unit is Usable with Multiple Phone Models; Docking Unitis Model(s)-Specific

[0048] A single main unit 20 is able to removably attach to a variety ofdocking units, wherein each docking unit is designed for a particularmodel, or set of models, of target phone. In this way, the user'sinvestment in the CDO is largely protected, even if he or she buys a newmodel of cellular phone. In particular, if the user buys a new model ofcellular phone, he or she could simply buy a new model-specific dockingunit to use with the existing main unit 20. Such a course of actionwould be cheaper than buying an entirely new CDO, and would be moreconvenient than having to coordinate the use of two wholly-separateCDOs.

[0049] In general, the CDO may be used with host phones that employeither analog technology (e.g., AMPS—Advanced Mobile Phone Service) ordigital technology (e.g., CDMA—Code Division Multiple Access, TDMA—TimeDivision Multiple Access, or GSM—Global System for MobileCommunications). A particular embodiment of the CDO as shown in FIG. 1Aor as shown in the incorporated, commonly-owned patent applications,e.g., the U.S. patent application Serial Nos. 09/071,732 (filed May 1,1998) and 09/098,634 (filed Jun. 16, 1998), includes browser softwareand electronic mail (e-mail) software in its program memory such thatthe software can direct the CDO's processor to engage in communicationwith a remote host computer to exchange e-mail or to browse remoteinformation on the Internet, an intranet, or the like. If the particularembodiment is to be used with analog phones, it also includes a modem,coupled to its processor, that handles communication with the remotehost.

[0050] G. The Main Unit Docks to the Docking Unit via a DockingInterface

[0051] 1. Overview

[0052]FIG. 1B illustrates the CDO of FIG. 1A in perspective view. Mostfeatures of FIG. 1B have already been described in connection witheither FIG. 1A, or in the patent applications incorporated by reference,and need not be described again in detail. Elements of the CDO that werelabeled in FIG. 1A retain their numeric labels in FIG. 1B. Theseelements include the docking unit 10, the main unit 20, the pass-throughcommunication port 43, the connectors 50 and 53, the connectors 55 and57, and the serial port 60 of the main unit 20. As shown in FIG. 1B, theCDO's main unit 20 also includes an interface coupler 80 for conveyingsignals between the main unit 20 and the docking unit 10 which conveysthe signals to and from the target phone (not shown in FIG. 1B). Themain unit 20 further includes user inputs and a display 81. The userinputs are shown as physical “Navi-disk” input keys 83 and additionalkeys 85. The Navi-disk input keys 83 include directional keys (e.g.,FORWARD, BACKWARD, and, optionally, UP and DOWN) and a selection key(e.g., ENTER). The additional keys 85 preferably include about four keysthat are preferably programmed for invoking HOME/PREVIOUS, CHANGE-VIEW,EDIT, and DIAL-NUMBER commands. The input and navigation functionalityof the inputs and the display 81 are further described, for example, inthe incorporated, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.60/107,269 (filed Nov. 4, 1998), 09/071,732 (filed May 1, 1998),09/187,007 (filed Nov. 4, 1998), and 08/905,463 (filed Aug. 4, 1997).

[0053] The interface coupler 80 may include, for example, about fiveelectrical conductors, or the like, that make contact with correspondingconductors (not shown) in the docking unit 10. The correspondingconductors cannot be seen in FIG. 1B, but would be on the hidden (inFIG. 1B) side of the connector 50. The interface coupler 80 may also bean elastomeric or similar plastic-or-rubber-covered coupler, an infraredor other type of wireless coupler (e.g., a radio-frequency transmitter)for wirelessly communicating (e.g., within a distance of about a meter)with the docking unit 10 and other devices, or the like. Whatever theform of the interface coupler 80, it interfaces with the target phonepreferably via the docking unit which functions as a conduit. Forexample, the interface coupler 80 may interface with a correspondingcoupler (not shown) in the docking unit, for example, on the hidden (inFIG. 1B) side of the connector 50 so that the docking unit conveyssignals between the main unit 20 and the target phone and preferablyperforms any necessary protocol-translating functions (e.g., to handlephone-model-specific protocol issues).

[0054] 2. The Main Unit May Have Interface-Card Form, Like the REX™Organizer

[0055] At least a portion of the main unit 20, including the interfacecoupler 80, may conform to the electrical and mechanical specificationof a PC-Card connector, or other interface card connector. For example,the main unit 20 may have a form factor (e.g., size, shape,configuration) and data synchronization scheme that is functionallysimilar to those of the PC-Card-shaped (Type II) REX PRO™ electronicorganizer or the REX™ electronic organizer, e.g., model REX-3, which areavailable from Franklin Electronic Publishers of Burlington, N.J., andembody licensed technology from Starfish, the present assignee. The REX™organizer is described for example in the incorporated, commonly-ownedU.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/098,634 (filed Jun. 16, 1998) and08/905,463 (filed Aug. 4, 1997).

[0056] 3. The Main Unit May Itself Have a Detachable Interface-CardComponent

[0057] As mentioned above, the main unit 20 may itself include twocomponents: an outer component, for providing the display and otherbulky elements, and a detachable interface component, for interfacingwith other devices such as handheld or notebook personal computers. Asmentioned above, such a two-component organizer is further discussed inthe incorporated, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.09/098,634 (filed Jun. 16, 1998) and 60/107,151 (filed Nov. 4, 1998).The interface component preferably includes memory (e.g., flash memory)and is preferably configured to interface with the other devicesaccording to a standard interface (e.g., a CompactFlash™ PC-cardinterface).

[0058] H. The CDO (e.g., the Main Unit) Synchronizes Information withOther Datasets

[0059] 1. Overview

[0060] Typically, the CDO is used along with other information devices,such as desktop, notebook, or handheld personal computers (PCs), servercomputers (e.g., Internet server computers), and the like. Each deviceincludes a copy, or version, of the user's information that is found inthe CDO. In general, information may be altered on any of the user'sinformation devices independently of the other information devices.Thus, the information in the devices typically should be periodicallysynchronized.

[0061] 2. Multiple Communication Paths May Exist for Synchronization

[0062] The CDO may synchronize with other information devices via itsserial port 60. In addition, particular above-described embodiments ofthe CDO may synchronize with other information devices in other ways.For example, consider again the embodiment of the CDO in which the mainunit 20 itself (or at least one end of it) has the form factor of aninterface card (e.g., a PC-card). Such a main unit 20 may synchronizewith other devices in a manner similar to the REX™ electronicorganizer—e.g., by inserting at least one end of the main unit 20 (theend with the interface coupler 80) at least partially into theinterface-card port of a PC or similar device. For another example,consider again the embodiment of the CDO in which the main unit 20itself includes a detachable interface module (e.g., a module having anend that conforms to an interface specification such as theCompactFlash™ PC-card specification). Such a main unit 20 maysynchronize with other devices by inserting at least one end of the mainunit 20's interface module into the interface-card port of a PC orsimilar device, as discussed, for example, in the incorporated,commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/098,634 (filed Jun.16, 1998). For yet another example, consider again the embodiment of theCDO in which the CDO is capable of engaging in communication (e.g.,cellular wireless communication) with a remote computer via the CDO'shost phone (e.g., via a built-in modem in the CDO). Such a CDO maysynchronize with another information device, e.g., an Internet servercomputer, or the like, via the host phone (e.g., wirelessly) through acommunication network (e.g., a public telephone network).

[0063] 3. Choose a Synchronization Method Optimized for theCommunication Path

[0064] The CDO may use any suitable synchronization method tosynchronize with other information devices. For example, the CDO may useany of the synchronization methods that are described in theincorporated, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.09/347,447 (filed Jul. 3, 1999), 09/311,781 (filed May 13, 1999),09/208,815 (filed Dec. 8, 1998), 09/136,215 (filed Aug. 18, 1998), and08/923,612 (filed Sep. 4, 1997). In particular, if the CDO is tosynchronize wirelessly, e.g., via the host phone, then the CDOpreferably uses the synchronization methods that are identified asespecially suitable to wireless synchronization in, for example, theincorporated, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/311,781(filed May 13, 1999).

[0065] I. Further Usability Features

[0066] 1. An Included Battery Provides Auxiliary Power to the Host Phone

[0067] A particular embodiment of the CDO as shown in FIG. 1A includesan auxiliary power supply (e.g., battery) that provides power to thehost phone. Preferably, the auxiliary power supply resides in thedocking unit 10, but the auxiliary power supply may also reside in themain unit 20. Power from the auxiliary power supply is routed to thehost phone using the host phone's existing auxiliary power input point.The main unit 20 includes its own power supply for stand-aloneoperation, but may also use power from an auxiliary power supply thatexists on the docking unit 10, or may use power from the host phone(e.g., via a dedicated power line or an ordinary signal line in thecommunication port 70) in particular embodiments.

[0068] 2. Left-Handed and Right-Handed Modes are Provided

[0069] During use by a right-handed user, the CDO is by default in aright-handed mode. In this mode, as the user views the CDO's display 81,the CDO's main navigation inputs (e.g., the Navi-disk keys 83)preferably face the user and reside to the right of the display 81.Thus, the user can hold the CDO's main unit 20 in his or her right handand use at least the main navigation inputs using his or her rightthumb. This leaves the user's left hand free, for example, to hold theCDO's host phone at ear-side during a call that was initiated by theCDO.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user cangive a command to the CDO's main unit 20 to enter into a left-handedmode, e.g., via the above-mentioned preferences software module or usinga hardware switch located somewhere on the CDO. In the left-handed mode,the display 81's screen coordinate system is re-mapped such that alltext images are effectively rotated about 180 degrees to display“upside-down”. Thus, a left-handed person can easily hold the CDO“upside down” in his or her left hand and see a correct display. In thisleft-handed position, as the user views the CDO's display, the mainnavigation inputs (e.g., the Navi-disk keyset 83) face the user andreside to the left of the display 81. Thus, the user can hold the CDO'smain unit 20 in his or her left hand and use at least the mainnavigation inputs using his or her left thumb. The screencoordinate-system is re-mapped, for example, by setting a register orswitch coupled to display controller circuitry within the main unit 20.In a particular embodiment, the CDO re-maps the coordinate system byswitching the direction of a serial latch in a horizontal display driverchip so that the chip renders backwards. Then the software compensatesin the vertical direction by using negative raster offsets rather thanpositive offsets. In an alternate embodiment, the display is configuredwithin the housing such that it may be physically rotated and retain itscorrect wiring connection to its circuitry. For example, the display maybe detached, rotated manually, and re-attached. In this alternativeembodiment, no coordinate-system re-mapping is necessary for the display81 to display “upside down”.

[0071] Once the CDO's main unit 20 is held in an “upside down” viewingposition, any physical buttons that face the user, without specialprovision, would also appear upside-down to the user, individually andin their positions relative to one another. (In contrast, user buttonsthat are on-screen buttons (not illustrated in the FIGS.) wouldautomatically display correctly in left-handed mode, individually andrelative to one another, after the display screen's image has beenrotated about 180 degrees.) Physical button keypads generally canbenefit from being rotated about 180 degrees, in whole or in part, inleft-handed mode.

[0072] Various schemes for rotating physical buttons may be used. In oneembodiment of the CDO, a user input keypad, or a portion thereof, may bephysically loosened from any rigid attachment to the main unit 20,rotated about 180 degrees, and re-attached rigidly (e.g., “clicked in”)to present a rotated placement. In another embodiment, a user inputkeypad is not physically moved but the buttons' functionality arere-mapped, e.g., by setting register(s) or switch(es) coupled. to keypadcontroller circuitry within the main unit 20. After button functionalityhas been re-mapped, the icons displayed on the buttons may no longermatch the buttons' functions. Therefore, a new membrane overlay (e.g.,sticker or decal) may be provided to cover the buttons or to replace anexisting membrane overlay. In a particular embodiment, the need for anew membrane overlay is avoided by re-mapping button functions if andonly if the functions' buttons (e.g., physical buttons) display iconsthat, when read upside down, inherently correspond to the re-mappedfunction. For example, the FORWARD key is re-mapped to be the BACKWARDkey, and vice versa, and the UP key is re-mapped to be the DOWN key (ifup and down keys exist), and vice versa, because such keys' arrow iconsinherently show the re-mapped direction when viewed upside-down.Further, if the function of a key does not semantically impose a spatialrelationship with respect to another function, then the CDO preferablydoes not re-map that key's function in left-handed mode. (For example,whereas a FORWARD key should always be below a BACKWARD key, in aculture in which text reads downward in the forward direction, aCHANGE-VIEW key can semantically be in any arbitrary spatialrelationship with other keys.)

[0073]FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a main unit 20A in the right-handedmode and the left-handed mode, respectively, according to an embodimentof the present invention. In FIG. 2A, the display 81 is“correct-side-up” and primary input keys 88, including a key 90 and akey 91, face the user and reside to the right of the “correct-side-up”display 81. In the right-handed mode, the key 90 is mapped to theBACKWARD navigation function, and the key 91 is mapped to the FORWARDnavigation function. The key 90 bears a left-up arrow icon and the key91 bears a right-down arrow icon, which icons respectively show theBACKWARD and FORWARD navigation functions.

[0074] In FIG. 2B, the main unit 20A is in left-handed mode and istherefore viewed “upside down” by the user. The display 81 remainsviewable because its coordinate system has been re-mapped to be upsidedown in the left-handed mode. The main unit 20A's primary input keys 88now include keys with re-mapped functions. In particular, the key 90 isnow mapped to the FORWARD navigation function and the key 91 is nowmapped to the BACKWARD navigation function. No new membrane overlay orphysical rotating of keys is necessary because the icon imprinted oneach of the keys 90 and 91 when upside down resembles the icon imprintedon the other of the keys 90 and 91 when right-side-up. Note that otherkeys of the primary input keys 88 were not re-mapped, since theirrelative spatial relationships are not semantically constrained by theirfunctions, and since their imprinted icons when upside-down do notinherently represent any function to which they might be re-mapped(e.g., any function originally mapped to another key whenright-side-up).

[0075] 3. An Included Speech Recognizer Supports Voice Control

[0076] A particular embodiment of the CDO as shown in FIG. 1A, or asshown in the incorporated, commonly-owned applications, for example,U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/071,732 (filed May 1, 1998) and09/098,634 (filed Jun. 16, 1998), includes an input microphone coupledto its processor and speech-recognition software in its program memorysuch that the software can direct the processor to recognize speechinput from the user (e.g., user says “John Smith”) for looking up namesin the phone list and for navigating to other views (e.g., user says“Calendar View”). Speech recognition software is well known, and isavailable from a number of vendors, for example: Advanced RecognitionTechnologies, Inc. of Delaware (headquarters in Chatsworth, Calif.)(http://www.artrecognition.com/); Dragon Systems, Inc. of Newton, Mass.(http://www.dragonsystems.com/); IBM Corporation of Armonk, N.Y.(http://www.ibm.com/).

[0077] 4. Included Caller-Identification Logic Identifies IncomingCallers

[0078] A particular embodiment of the CDO as shown in FIG. 1A, or asshown in the incorporated, commonly-owned applications, for example,U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/071,732 (filed May 1, 1998) and09/098,634 (filed Jun. 16, 1998), includes caller-identification(caller-ID) circuitry coupled to the system bus such that the CDO can:(1) instruct the host phone to allow the CDO to receiveincoming-phone-call (e.g., “telephone ring”) signals; (2) deciphercaller-ID information provided by the telephone service provider in theincoming-phone-call signal to identify the caller's phone number; (3)search the CDO's phone book to find a match, if any, between thecaller's phone number and a contact's phone number in the CDO's phonebook; and (4) display the name of the contact (as well as the identifiedphone number) on the CDO's display to the user, so that the user canknow the name of the caller before choosing to answer the phone call.

[0079] 5. Physical Dimensions Maintain Compatibility with Belt Holsters

[0080] Note that while the main unit 20 in FIG. 1B is shown as having agenerally rectangular shape, embodiments of the invention may beconfigured into other shapes. In particular, in an embodiment that isdesigned for possible use with Motorola StarTAC® phones, one side of themain unit 20 (e.g., the side having the Navi-Disk input keys 83) maytaper into a narrower side, to better conform to the shape of theauxiliary battery for the StarTAC® phone. The tapered shape is similarto that shown on a CDO in the incorporated, commonly-owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/071,732 (filed May 1, 1998). For the embodimentfor use with StarTAC® phones, a portion of the docking unit 10 may benarrower than the target StarTAC® phone so as to provide clearance for astandard holster (available from Motorola, Inc.) that holds the StarTAC®phone onto a waist belt. In particular, the narrowed portion may bealong the two lateral sides of the docking unit 10, starting from thebase side, which is the side having the connector 50. The (partial orfull) narrowing would correspond to the “lateral recess” of a CDO thatis described and shown in the incorporated, commonly-owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/071,732 (filed May 1, 1998). If necessary (e.g.,if the docking unit is thinner than the desired “recess”), the main unit20 may also have a housing that defines a recess, to provide additionalclearance for the standard holster.

[0081] J. Further Discussion of Specific Embodiments

[0082] 1. CDO Allows User to Dial from any of Multiple Software Modules

[0083] a. Typical Usage: Dial from a Contact Page

[0084] In typical use, the user navigates the CDO's user interface todisplay or highlight a particular contact entry and from there invokethe DIAL-NUMBER command. In response, the CDO generates and issues acommand to the target phone to dial the contact entry's phone number. Ifthe contact entry has more than one phone number, the CDO uses the phonenumber that was highlighted by a cursor, if any, or the CDO firstdetermines and displays a list of all non-empty phone-number fields forthe contact entry and prompts the user to choose a number, which the CDOthen uses for dialing. The CDO generates and issues the command to thetarget phone according to the target phone's communication and commandprotocol. An example of such a protocol is the standard modem “AT”command set, which is documented in the patent, trade, and technicalliterature. Interfacing with a target phone, as well as the “AT” commandset, is further described, for example, in the incorporated,commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/071,732 (filed May 1,1998).

[0085] b. Additional Usages: Dial from Non-Contact Page or Non-PhoneField

[0086] In the preferred embodiment of the CDO, the user may alsonavigate to displayed pages (e.g., views) that do not show a contactentry of the Contacts software module, or to pages that highlight anon-phone-number field of a record entry, and from those pages, invokethe DIAL-NUMBER command. For example, the user may navigate to a pagethat shows a calendar event, or to a page in which the user is viewingor editing the “subject” field of a “to-do” task, or to a page in whichthe user is viewing or editing the “body” field of a memo. From such apage, which does not highlight any phone-number field, the user invokesthe DIAL-NUMBER command. The CDO responds by intelligently trying todeduce a phone number that is associated with the current page,prompting the user to confirm the phone number, and generating andissuing a command to the target phone to dial the deduced phone number.

[0087] c. CDO Determines Phone Number to Use Based on Invocation Context

[0088] Upon invocation of the DIAL-NUMBER command, the CDO determinesthe phone number to be dialed, based on the context (e.g., the displayedpage) under which the DIAL-NUMBER command was invoked. In the preferredembodiment, the determination is made according to the following method:

[0089] STEP 1: If the DIAL-NUMBER command was invoked from a displayedpage in which a phone-number record field is highlighted, then the CDOuses the highlighted phone number, and the method is DONE. (The recordfield is either already stored as a number or is stored as a text stringthat can be simply parsed to produce a phone number.)

[0090] STEP 2: If the DIAL-NUMBER command was invoked from a displayedpage in which a non-phone-number record field is highlighted, then theCDO attempts to parse the content of the highlighted (non-phone-number)record field to identify a text substring that is a phone number. Afterthe parsing, if such a text substring was identified, the phone numberis used, and the method is DONE. After the parsing, if no such textsubstring is identified, the CDO next attempts to deduce a phone numberfrom the highlighted record field's record as if no record field hadbeen highlighted, i.e., according to the STEPs 3 and 4 below.

[0091] STEP 3: If the DIAL-NUMBER command was invoked from a displayedpage that shows or highlights a contact record, but does not highlightany particular field of the record, the CDO proceeds, as describedearlier, to determine and display a list of all non-empty phone-numberfields for the contact record and prompts the user to choose a number.Once the user chooses a phone number to be dialed, the method is DONE.

[0092] STEP 4: If the DIAL-NUMBER command was invoked from a displayedpage that shows or highlights a non-contact record, but does nothighlight any particular field of the record, the CDO attempts to parsethe main field of the record to identify a text substring that is aphone number, as described for STEP 1. In an alternate embodiment, orfor certain types of records (e.g., memo records), the CDO actuallyparses multiple or all fields of the record, identifies all phonenumbers contained in the fields, and prompts the user to choose one ofthem. If no phone number is found in the record's main field (or allfields, for the alternate embodiment) proceed to STEP 5. If a phonenumber is identified, the method is DONE. The main field of a “to-do”task record is preferably its “subject” field, or the like. The mainfield of an event record is preferably its “subject” field, or the like.The main field of an e-mail record is preferably its “subject” field, orthe like. The main field of a memo record is preferably its “subject”field, or the like, but if no separate “subject” field exists for thememo record, its entire “body” field, or the like, can be considered tobe its main field.

[0093] STEP 5: (As reached from STEP 4.) If the non-contact record isassociated with a contact record (e.g., the record's main field containsa name (e.g., “Joe Smith”) that matches the name of a contact record),the CDO asks the user whether the user wishes to dial the contactrecord. If the user replies yes, proceed to STEP 3. Otherwise, no phonenumber has been identified, and the method is DONE. The determination ofwhether the non-contact record is associated with a contact record isfurther discussed in connection with a “Find-in-Contacts” feature in theincorporated, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/187,007, filed Nov. 4, 1998.

[0094] The parsing of a text field to identify and extract phone numbersmay be done in any suitable way. The parsing should depend on the formatin which phone numbers are expected to be written, for a given usermarket. In the preferred embodiment, which is adapted for the UnitedStates market, the parsing algorithm is implemented according to thefollowing source code snippet: return ScanNum(pNum,“1 (xxx)xxx-xxxx”,“?+ ?1 ?- ?( ddd ?)?- aaa ?- aaaa”,pString) ∥ ScanNum(pNum,“1(xxx) xxx-xxxx”,“?1?. ?( ddd ?) ?.aaa.aaaa”,pString) ∥ ScanNum(pNum,“1(A) xxx-xxxx”,“aaa - aaaa”,pString) ∥ ScanNum(pNum,“1 (A)xxx-xxxx”,“aaa.aaaa”,pString) ∥ ScanNum(pNum,“1 (A) xxx-xxxx”,“ddd ?.dddd”,pString)

[0095] In the above code snippet, ScanNum( ) is a string parsingfunction that accepts four arguments. The fourth argument, e.g.,pString, is an input string to be parsed. The first argument, e.g.,pNum, is an output string in which an identified phone number is to bestored, if parsing is successful. The second argument, e.g., “1 (A)xxx-xxxx”, specifies the format of the result string that will containthe phone number, if parsing is successful. The third argument, e.g.,“?1?. ?(ddd ?) ?.aaa.aaaa”, specifies the pattern to be matched in theinput string. ScanNum( ) returns TRUE if and only if it succeeds infinding the desired pattern in the input.

[0096] In the second argument, the character ‘x’ is a placeholder forcharacters that are obtained from the input string; the character ‘A’ isa placeholder for the user's default telephone area code which is knownto the function ScanNum( ); and all other characters are literalcharacters. In the third argument, the character ‘a’ is to be matched byany alphabetic character or digit in the input string, and the character‘d’ is to be matched by any digit in the input string. Further, in thethird argument, the character ‘?’ followed by any character is to bematched by zero-or-more appearances of the character that follows ‘?’; aspace character (i.e., ‘ ’) is to be matched by zero or more appearancesof whitespace character(s) in the input string; and all other charactersare literal characters to be matched by the same character(case-insensitively) in the input string. Any character of the inputstring that is matched to the characters ‘a’ or ‘d’ of the patternspecification (i.e., of the third argument) is provided to the outputstring at the locations specified by the placeholder ‘x’ characters ofthe second argument. The above code snippet is but one parsingimplementation that is made deliberately simple for high executionspeed. Other parsing implementations are possible. For illustration,following are examples of input strings that can be successfully parsedinto output strings by the above code snippet. In the examples, theuser's default area code is “408”. Input String Output String “blah blah1.800.555.1212 blah blah” “1 (800) 555-1212” “blah blah 800 555 1212blah blah” “1 (800) 555-1212” “blah blah +1 (800)555-1212 blah blah” “1(800) 555-1212” “blah blah (800)CALLNOW blah blah” “1 (800) CAL-LNOW”“blah blah 8005551212 blah blah” “1 (800) 555-1212” “blah blah 555 1212blah blah” “1 (408) 555-1212”

[0097] 2. An Embodiment: Docking Unit Mates to Battery CompartmentOpening

[0098] As mentioned above, a single main unit 20 is able to removablyattach to a variety of docking units, wherein each docking unit isdesigned for a particular model or set of models of target phone. FIG.3A illustrates a CDO's docking unit 10A according to a specificembodiment that attaches to a host phone 30A in the manner of a coverfor an internal battery compartment, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. In particular, a portion of the docking unit thatmakes contact with the host phone 30A conforms in shape to at least someportion of a battery-compartment cover. In particular the docking unitincludes connectors that emulate the battery-compartment cover'sconnectors (e.g., snap-in tabs, and the like). FIG. 3B illustrates amain unit 20A being attached to the docking unit 10A of FIG. 3A.

[0099] 3. Working with Multiple Models of Phones

[0100] Like the main unit(s) mentioned in earlier sections, the mainunit 20A that is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B preferably can dock withmultiple types of docking units (e.g., battery-compartment-cover dockingunits, external-auxiliary-battery docking units, even built-in dockingunits, and the like. Built-in docking units are docking units fornon-legacy phones, that are built-into the phone itself and need not orcannot be removed from the phone. To the extent that different targetphones do not use a same communication protocol, a main unit that is tobe docked to multiple docking units, for multiple target phones, may beloaded with phone-specific (e.g., phone-model-specific) software. Upondocking with a docking unit, such a main unit determines from thedocking unit the model of the host phone, and selects and uses thesoftware in the main unit's memory that is specific to the model of thehost phone. In a particular embodiment, the phone-model-specificsoftware is created and sold with each new model of docking unit, as newmodels of docking units are introduced for new models of host phones. Inthis way, the main unit can be updated as new models of phones areintroduced. Phone-model-specific software, if any, is preferablytransferred (e.g., installed) into the main unit (e.g., into flash-basedmemory in the main unit), for example via the serial port of the mainunit from a personal computer. In an alternate embodiment, each dockingunit may include an amount of memory (e.g., flash-based memory) thatcontains phone-model-specific software for instructing the main unit towork with the docking unit's compatible model(s) of phone. In thisalternate embodiment, the main unit simply loads or uses the softwarefrom the docking unit for the docking unit's compatible model(s) oftarget phone. In another alternate embodiment, the docking unit itselfincludes a microcontroller or other processor, and associated memory andsoftware, that translates between a protocol understood by the main unitand a protocol used by the docking unit's compatible model(s) of targetphone.

[0101] While the invention is described in some detail with specificreference to a single-preferred embodiment and certain alternatives,there is no intent to limit the invention to that particular embodimentor those specific alternatives. Thus, the true scope of the presentinvention is not limited to any one of the foregoing exemplaryembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable electronic organizer for independentoperation and for operation with a portable telephone, the organizercomprising: a portable docking unit configured to removably mate to thetelephone; and a portable main unit configured to removably dock to thedocking unit, wherein, when the main unit is docked to the docking unitand the docking unit is mated to the telephone, the main unit is coupledto the telephone, the main unit comprising: a memory configured to storeuser data; and a processor coupled to the memory; and logic configuredfor the electronic organizer to initiate a voice telephone call over thetelephone in response to user input related to the user data.
 2. Theportable electronic organizer according to claim 1 wherein the userinput related to the user data comprises a command to dial that isinvoked by a user in the course of selective viewing by the user of theuser data stored in the memory.
 3. The portable electronic organizeraccording to claim 1 wherein the main unit is configured to be removableduring the telephone call for handheld use by the user during aremainder of the telephone call, wherein the telephone call wasinitiated by the main unit in response to user input.
 4. The portableelectronic organizer according to claim 3 wherein the main unit isconfigured to be operable by a hand holding the main unit to therebyleave another hand free to hold the telephone at ear-side during theremainder of the telephone call.
 5. The portable electronic organizeraccording to claim 1 wherein: the telephone includes a communicationport through which the main unit communicates with the telephone; thetelephone is configured to terminate a telephone call that involves thecommunication port in response to detecting that the communication portis no longer being actively used; and the docking unit includes a moduleconfigured to prevent the telephone from detecting that thecommunication port is no longer being actively used, at least after themain unit is removed from the docking unit during a call that involvesthe main unit and the communication port.
 6. The portable electronicorganizer according to claim 5 wherein the module of the docking unitincludes a circuit configured to send signals to the communication port,at least after the main unit is removed from the docking unit during acall that was initiated by the main unit, to prevent the telephone fromautomatically terminating the call that was initiated by the main unit.7. The portable electronic organizer according to claim 6 wherein: thetelephone is configured to monitor communications via the communicationport to detect a reduction of the communications; and the circuit isconfigured to occasionally send the signals to the communication port tomaintain the communications, at least after the main unit is removedfrom the docking unit during a call that involves the main unit and thecommunication port.
 8. The portable electronic organizer according toclaim 6 wherein: the telephone is configured to occasionally send, viathe communication port, requests for acknowledgment for detectingwhether the communication port is no longer being actively used; and thecircuit is configured to respond to the requests by sending the signalsto the communication port as acknowledgment, at least after the mainunit is removed from the docking unit during a call that involves themain unit and the communication port.
 9. The portable electronicorganizer according to claim 1 wherein: the telephone is hereinafterreferred to as the first telephone; the docking unit is hereinafterreferred to as the first docking unit; the main unit is also configuredto removably dock with a second docking unit that is designed forremovably mating to a second telephone; the second telephone is of adifferent model as compared to the first telephone; and the first andsecond docking units each includes model-specific features forinterfacing with the first and second telephones, respectively.
 10. Theportable electronic organizer according to claim 9 wherein: themodel-specific features include a physical protrusion; and the main unitis contoured to be independent of the physical protrusion, for ease ofcarrying and use.
 11. The portable electronic organizer according toclaim 1 wherein: the docking unit includes model-specific featuresprimarily dictated by the geometry for removably mating with thetelephone; and the main unit is configured for ease of carrying and useindependently of the geometry for removably mating with the telephone.12. The portable electronic organizer according to claim 1 wherein thedocking unit is configured to removably mate to the telephone at anattachment point associated with attachment of a battery for thetelephone.
 13. The portable electronic organizer according to claim 12wherein the attachment point is suitable for attachment of an externalauxiliary battery for the telephone.
 14. The portable electronicorganizer according to claim 13 wherein the telephone is a StarTAC®cellular telephone.
 15. The portable electronic organizer according toclaim 12 wherein: the attachment point is suitable for attachment of acover for an internal battery compartment; and the docking unit isconfigured to include connectors for attaching to the attachment point.16. The portable electronic organizer according to claim 12 wherein thedocking unit includes a power supply configured to supply power to thetelephone.
 17. The portable electronic organizer according to claim 1wherein the docking unit includes at least one physical connector formating the docking unit to the telephone, and the docking unit includesa docking port for accepting the main unit, wherein the at least onephysical connector and the docking port are configured such that, whenthe main unit is docked to the docking unit and the docking unit ismated to the telephone, the organizer and the telephone together can bephysically handled as a substantially rigid integrated combination. 18.The portable electronic organizer according to claim 1 wherein at leasta portion of the main unit is configured to have the form factor of atleast a portion of an interface card, for connectivity with anotherdevice.
 19. The portable electronic organizer according to claim 1wherein: the telephone includes a communication port; and the organizerfurther comprises a pass-through communication port by which anotherdevice may be coupled to the telephone when the organizer is occupyingthe communication port of the telephone.
 20. The portable electronicorganizer according to claim 1 wherein: the telephone can be worn on aholster; and the organizer is configured to avoid interfering with theholster, whereby when the docking unit is mated to the telephone, thetelephone can still be worn on the holster.
 21. The portable electronicorganizer according to claim 1 wherein the electronic organizer includesa first power supply configured to supply power to the processor foroperating the main unit independently of any power supply in thetelephone.
 22. The portable electronic organizer according to claim 28wherein the electronic organizer includes a second power supplyconfigured to supply power to the telephone.
 23. The portable electronicorganizer according to claim 29 wherein: the first and second powersupplies are not a same power supply; the main unit includes the firstpower supply; and the docking unit includes the second power supply. 24.A portable electronic organizer for independent operation and foroperation with a portable telephone, the organizer comprising: a memoryfor storing user data; a display coupled to the memory; a communicationcoupler configured to interface with the portable telephone; and aprocessor, coupled to the memory and the display, configured to control,in response to user input, selective conveying of the user data to theuser and instructing of the telephone via the communication coupler toinitiate a phone call; wherein the electronic organizer is capable ofhandheld use by a user for selectively accessing the user data whilephysically separate from the telephone, even during the phone callinitiated by the telephone in response to the instructing by theprocessor.
 25. The portable electronic organizer according to claim 24wherein the organizer is configured to be operable by a hand holding theorganizer to thereby leave another hand free to hold the telephone atear-side during the phone call.
 26. The portable electronic organizeraccording to claim 24 wherein: the phone call is hereinafter referred asthe organizer-initiated phone call; the telephone is configured toterminate a phone call involving an external device in response toconcluding that the external device is no longer using the phone call;and the electronic organizer includes a module configured to prevent thetelephone from concluding that the electronic organizer is no longerusing the organizer-initiated phone call when the electronic organizeris in handheld use by a user for selectively accessing the user dataduring the organizer-initiated phone call.
 27. The portable electronicorganizer according to claim 26 wherein the module is configured to sendsignals via the communication coupler, at least when the electronicorganizer is in handheld use by a user for selectively accessing theuser data during the organizer-initiated phone call, to prevent thetelephone from terminating the organizer-initiated phone call.
 28. Theportable electronic organizer according to claim 24 wherein the portabletelephone is a wireless cellular telephone.
 29. The portable electronicorganizer according to claim 24 wherein the organizer is configured tostore user data in the memory including contact and schedule data. 30.The portable electronic organizer according to claim 24 wherein theorganizer includes a browser for accessing remote information via thetelephone.
 31. The portable electronic organizer according to claim 24wherein the organizer includes a serial port for connecting with anotherdevice for synchronizing user data stored in the memory withcorresponding user data in the other device.
 32. The portable electronicorganizer according to claim 24 wherein the organizer is configured tohandle electronic mail communications communicated via the telephone.33. The portable electronic organizer according to claim 24 wherein: theelectronic organizer is configured to store user data including a listof contacts; the organizer includes software configured to instruct theprocessor to: accept caller-identification information associated withan incoming phone call; identify, in the list of contacts, a contactcorresponding to the caller-identification information; and convey theidentified corresponding contact to the user for the user to use indetermining whether to accept the incoming phone call.
 34. The portableelectronic organizer according to claim 24 further comprising amicrophone and speech recognition software for accepting voice commandsfor operating the organizer.
 35. A method for cooperatively using aportable phone and a portable electronic organizer that has a display,the method comprising: electively placing the portable electronicorganizer into proximity with the portable phone to enablecommunication; displaying at the display first information comprisingentries having corresponding phone number information; receiving firstinput that indicates a user request to dial a phone number associatedwith a particular entry of the displayed entries; transmitting a firstcommand from the electronic organizer to the phone for attempting toestablish communication between the electronic organizer and the phone;if a communication can be established between the electronic organizerand the phone, transmitting in response to the user request a secondcommand, from the electronic organizer to the phone, that instructs thephone to dial the phone number to thereby establish a phone call; duringthe established phone call, receiving second input indicating a userrequest to use the electronic organizer to view second information; andin response to the second input, while at least a portion of theelectronic organizer that includes the display is physically uncoupledfrom the phone, displaying at the electronic organizer the secondinformation for viewing by the user while the user is actively engagedin the established phone call.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein thestep of placing the electronic organizer into proximity with the phonecomprises physically attaching the electronic organizer to the phone.37. The method of claim 36 further comprising physically uncoupling theat least a portion of the electronic organizer from the phone prior tothe step of receiving the second input.
 38. The method of claim 36wherein the step of placing the electronic organizer into proximity withthe phone further comprises making electrical contact between signalconductors, and the step of transmitting the second command comprisestransmitting the second command across the signal conductors.
 39. Themethod of claim 36, wherein the phone is a cellular phone thataccommodates a battery, and the step of physically attaching theelectronic organizer to the phone comprises attaching the electronicorganizer to the phone at a location intended for attaching the battery.40. The method of claim 36, wherein the phone is a cellular phone thatincludes a battery compartment and a battery-compartment cover, and thestep of physically attaching the electronic organizer to the phonecomprises attaching the electronic organizer to the phone at a locationintended for attaching the battery-compartment cover.
 41. The method ofclaim 35 wherein the step of placing the electronic organizer intoproximity with the phone comprises positioning the electronic organizerwithin about one meter of the phone, and the step of transmitting thesecond command comprises transmitting the second command wirelessly. 42.The method of claim 41 wherein the step of transmitting the secondcommand wirelessly comprises transmitting the second command usinginfrared signals.
 43. The method of claim 41 wherein the step oftransmitting the second command wirelessly comprises transmitting thesecond command using radio-frequency signals.
 44. The method of claim 35wherein: the electronic organizer includes a button; the method furthercomprises activating of the button by a first hand of the user while asecond hand of the user is holding the phone at ear-side; and the stepof receiving the second input includes detecting the activating of thebutton.
 45. The method of claim 35 wherein: the electronic organizerincludes a first module and a second module that are physicallyseparable from one another; and the step of placing the electronicorganizer into proximity with the phone comprises electively andphysically attaching the first module to the phone.
 46. The method ofclaim 45 wherein the step of placing the electronic organizer intoproximity with the phone further comprises electively and physicallyattaching the second module to the first module.
 47. The method of claim46 wherein the step of placing the electronic organizer into proximitywith the phone further comprises making electrical contact betweensignal conductors, and the step of transmitting the second commandcomprises transmitting the second command across the signal conductorstoward the phone.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the phone is acellular phone that accommodates a battery, and the step of physicallyattaching the first module to the phone comprises attaching the firstmodule to the phone at a location configured for attaching the battery.49. The method of claim 45, wherein the phone includes abattery-compartment cover, and the step of physically attaching thefirst module to the phone comprises attaching the first module to thephone at a location configured for attaching the battery-compartmentcover.
 50. The method of claim 35 wherein: the phone uses a firstcommand protocol; the second module uses a second command protocol; andthe method further comprises translating between the first and thesecond protocols by the first module to facilitate communication betweenthe second module and the phone.
 51. The method of claim 35 wherein thestep of receiving the first input comprises: receiving third input forhighlighting the particular entry of the entries of the firstinformation; and thereafter, receiving fourth input for indicating thatthe user desires to call the phone number associated with the particularentry; and wherein the first input includes the third input and thefourth input.
 52. The method of claim 35 wherein the electronicorganizer includes contact information and event information; and thesecond information includes information from at least one member of theset consisting of the contact information and the event information.